The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is a typical Terry Gilliam film: confusing beginning, too many endings and an insanity and visual mayhem that is second to none. But when the film starts going it’s is a wonderful exciting adventure that does credit to the king of all liars. The cast is first rate as well, with a young Sarah Polley as the Baron’s traveling companion and Robin Williams in an uncredited role as the King of the Moon (and also a young Uma Thurman as Venus appearing in an homage to Botticelli). But what is the movie about?

In an unnamed city, with an army at the gates a theater company is doing the Baron Munchhausen play. It is interrupted by an old man who claims he is the Baron and proceeds to tell a tale. As the bombing continues, the daughter of the theater company owner nags the Baron to help save the city. And we’re off on our adventure. First we must gather the Baron’s compatriots who are scattered around the world. Then they go to fight the Turkish army (with a few side trips to hell and inside a whale). The ending doesn’t really end and we start wondering if we are in a story or reality or inside a whole new story.

Gilliam, as always, does a fantastic job with the visuals and the frenetic pace of the story. The middle part of the story, as was the case with The Fisher King, is the best part and the portion of the story that will most likely grab you and drag you away with it. John Neville does a great job playing the Baron, both young and old. Sarah Polley is the young urchin who nudges and cajoles the Baron into staying on his mission (to save the city) when he gets distracted  (which is way too often). The supporting cast, including Eric Idle, Charles McKeown, Winston Dennis and Jonathan Pryce are well cast and well played. There are similarities to The Wizard of Oz, with the same actor playing a role in the story and in reality.

The movie, when released into the theaters, was a bomb to put it mildly. Gilliam makes wonderful, hard to categorize and highly enjoyable films, but box office success is not his strong suit. But it is a story to be watched and a tale to be enjoyed. Highly recommended.